3) This concept of “lift” BC is obsessed with came from Ted Williams, who obviously knows nothing about hitting and is just a stat geek:
In The Science of Hitting, Ted Williams bemoaned that hitters "always heard that the ideal swing is level or `down."' The Hall of Famer advocated a "slight upswing" because it "puts the bat flush in line with the path of the ball for a longer period." That is, if the ball is traveling down from the pitcher's hand to the catcher's glove, the best chance at solid contact is to swing the bat on the same plane — up toward the pitcher's release point.
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It makes sense! But I believe that the concept of "slight upswing" has been exaggerated by today's players. Which is why there was such a preponderance of popups, strikeouts and sub-.200 batting averages for a large part of this season.
Our D-backs, especially Paul Goldschmidt, is an example. I'm hoping that it will turn the corner. Bob Brenly is saying at this moment that he thinks the hitters will begin to go back to taking advantage of what the defense gives them and there will be less shifts. That is the opinion of a professional player/manager/TV analyst, and I agree.
Back to Ted Williams. He is considered to be the greatest natural hitter of all time.
THE greatest natural hitter of all time. And he became one of the worst managers. Because he expected his ballplayers to have the same skills as he. But there was only one Ted Williams at-bat.
And now, every marginal hitter is exaggerating "lift". Inducing popups and strikeouts. And sub-.200 batting averages and runners left in scoring position and on base.
As most good things in life, Ted Williams' "lift" has reached the point of causing more harm than good. I hope that Bob Brenly is right and that the overdone trend will reverse. And, once again, DWKB, I wouldn't call my point of view an obsession, just as I wouldn't call yours that.
